On December 17, Romania, Italy, and Spain refuted claims by Irakli Kobakhidze, the Georgian Dream Prime Minister, that their representatives at the EU Foreign Affairs Council opposed sanctions against Georgian Dream officials.

Romania’s Foreign Ministry criticized Kobakhidze’s remarks as "inaccurate" and "disinformation," expressing disappointment with his misrepresentation of internal EU discussions. The ministry reiterated concerns about the Georgian government's stance on EU accession and handling recent protests. The Romanian MFA spokesperson called Kobakhidze's statement "a blatant example of disinformation regarding Romania’s position on Georgia." Following this, Italy's Foreign Ministry announced its support for sanctions proposed by Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, including the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passports. Italy also stressed its support for the Georgian people and criticized recent government decisions that "effectively suspended their European path." Similarly, Spain’s Foreign Ministry dismissed Kobakhidze’s claims, stating it had supported all decisions made by the EU Foreign Affairs Council and expressed grave concern over civil rights issues and disinformation in Georgia.

On December 18, Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, began an official visit to Georgia, which the Council described as taking place amid "strong tensions, extreme polarization, and acts of violence in recent weeks." The visit aimed to maintain cooperation between the Council of Europe and Georgia in line with the Council's values and principles. The Council urged all parties to avoid further escalation and called on Georgian authorities to refrain from excessive use of force and respect fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression and assembly. The Council welcomed the release of Nika Gvaramia and Aleko Elisashvili, with plans for Berset to meet them alongside civil society and opposition figures.

Berset met with Prime Minister Kobakhidze and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili during his visit. Kobakhidze described the meeting as "very friendly, productive" and emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation with the Council of Europe. He highlighted Berset’s personal role in supporting Georgia and expressed hope for continued collaboration. After the meeting, Berset announced plans to meet Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream. The Parliament’s Press Service reported that Papuashvili discussed the recent protests in Georgia with Berset and stressed the importance of opposition engagement in parliamentary processes. Both sides agreed to continue cooperation through open dialogue.

On December 18, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addressed the European Parliament, denouncing the October 26 parliamentary elections as "systematic, massively rigged and very sophisticated." She accused the ruling party of seizing control of the Central Election Commission through legislative changes that ignored EU recommendations. Zourabichvili criticized the absence of biometric verification in electronic voting, the misuse of administrative resources, and the use of propaganda, intimidation, and "black money" to influence the outcome. She emphasized that the elections violated the principles of universality and confidentiality, with only 34,000 out of over one million Georgian citizens abroad able to vote. She added that confidentiality was further compromised by "party cameras" at voting sites.

Zourabichvili warned that these actions marked an "accelerated Russian path" for Georgia, with systematic violations of democratic norms and unconstitutional parliamentary sessions convened without presidential approval. She accused the government of suspending Georgia’s EU integration process, describing it as a breach of the Constitution and a move toward one-party control. Zourabichvili condemned new laws targeting civil servants and NGOs, saying they mirrored "Russian practices" and allowed for arbitrary dismissals and preventive arrests. She linked these developments to broader repression of dissent, highlighting government accusations against civil society figures as "liberal fascists" and threats to dissolve opposition parties.

The president further criticized the Georgian government's use of disinformation, accusing it of manipulating information from European partners and preventing the public from understanding the truth. She stated that this practice followed Russian tactics and called on the EU to counter such disinformation campaigns. She stressed that despite repression, Georgian civil society and opposition forces remain resolute in their push for democratic change and EU integration.

Zourabichvili framed the crisis as a challenge for Europe as well as Georgia, stating, "It is about Europe’s credibility," and arguing that Georgia’s fate impacts the Black Sea region, connectivity to South and Central Asia, and Armenia’s European prospects. She linked the Georgian situation to Russia's broader attempts to reassert control in the region, emphasizing that "who holds Tbilisi holds the Caucasus," a historical strategy Russia continues to pursue. She argued that allowing Georgia to fall under Russian influence would have major geopolitical consequences.

The president called on Europe to do more, stating that the EU had so far "met the challenge halfway." While she welcomed the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s decision as a "first step," she demanded more decisive action. Zourabichvili urged the EU to conduct high-level visits to Georgia that respect the principle of "not business as usual," emphasizing that such visits should not be used as propaganda by the Georgian government. She also called for EU ambassadors to monitor court proceedings in Georgia, especially regarding detained demonstrators who face sentences of up to nine years.

Zourabichvili highlighted Europe’s leverage over Georgia, noting that the EU is Georgia’s largest donor, trading partner, and home to its largest diaspora. She criticized the Georgian leadership for "importing post-Soviet Russia governance" while enjoying the benefits of Europe’s wealth and democracy. She called on the EU to use its influence to stand by the Georgian people, stressing that "Georgia will win this fight" and asserting that the Georgian people will continue their struggle for freedom, democracy, and a European future. She concluded with a call to action, urging the EU to accelerate its response, warning that "the Georgian people will not waver."

On December 18, the President’s Administration reported that the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) had not aired Zourabichvili’s live address to the European Parliament. The Administration criticized the broadcaster for failing to "fully and objectively" inform the public, stating that GPB is legally required under Article 16 of Georgia’s Broadcasting Law to support EU integration. The Administration accused GPB of failing to fulfill its duty amid Georgia's deep political crisis and the ongoing struggle for the country's European future.